Taking this into consideration, why hasn't the USFSA make sure that she got two events? Nagasu is simply an incredible skater. I think any country would jump at the chance to have her skate for them. Even Japan and Russia would find her to be an asset and their fields are deep. This isn't to say that I don't appreciate how great Ashley and Gracie are. It's just that I am not willing to overlook Mirai either.

Ultimately, it will be up to her to show (through her skating) why she should still be considered a top contender. That's what Wagner did last year, no?

ETA: As for Zhang, let's see another event first. I don't remember her lighting up SA last year, yet look at the improvement she made by Nationals.

Ultimately, it will be up to her to show (through her skating) why she should still be considered a top contender. That's what Wagner did last year, no?

ETA: As for Zhang, let's see another event first. I don't remember her lighting up SA last year, yet look at the improvement she made by Nationals.

Yes, it's obviously too early to judge, but I remember that last year she skated good at Glacier Falls, then she was 3rd in the SP at SA and then she skated a horrible FS (because of her nerves, I guess), which pulled her down. Now, she received low scores at the Hidden Valley Open in July and, here, both her SP and FS have been a disaster... I really hope she can recover from this and skate well in the GP... (And, please Caroline, don't change your coach AGAIN!! Oppergard is perfect for you...)

Yes, it's obviously too early to judge, but I remember that last year she skated good at Glacier Falls, then she was 3rd in the SP at SA and then she skated a horrible FS (because of her nerves, I guess), which pulled her down. Now, she received low scores at the Hidden Valley Open in July and, here, both her SP and FS have been a disaster... I really hope she can recover from this and skate well in the GP... (And, please Caroline, don't change your coach AGAIN!! Oppergard is perfect for you...)

One thing that I noticed is that she had trouble executing a usually reliable jump for her - the 3L. She under-rotated it in the LP and I think she may have landed it badly in the SP too (not sure though.) Now, when a skater's best jump is in missing in action, that is proof enough that for whatever reason the skater is not in competitive shape.

One thing that I noticed is that she had trouble executing a usually reliable jump for her - the 3L. She under-rotated it in the LP and I think she may have landed it badly in the SP too (not sure though.) Now, when a skater's best jump is in missing in action, that is proof enough that for whatever reason the skater is not in competitive shape.

Exactly. Not only were there the three falls, inability to complete triples, but her spins were lower levels than usual for her, maybe also the step sequences. Low PCS as well, though with that many mistakes, obviously the PCS would be affected. I would have thought that at USFSA Champs Camp several weeks ago, she would have shown her programs and would have been deemed in decent enough shape to go, or been pulled from the competition. She's got her work cut out for her if she doesn't want to embarrass herself again at Skate Canada.

Caroline also started slow last year with a 140 at Skate America, but finished the year with 170+ scores at Nationals and a podium at 4CC. If a 125 is an embarassment, then what is a 103 score which Flatt, a Skate America entrant, obtained recently at a club competition.

Caroline also started slow last year with a 140 at Skate America, but finished the year with 170+ scores at Nationals and a podium at 4CC. If a 125 is an embarassment, then what is a 103 score which Flatt, a Skate America entrant, obtained recently at a club competition.

Could be lots of reasons for Rachael's low score.
She could have just been coming off vacation and wanted to get back on the ice at a low profile summer event.

Maybe she was trying out a new program and left out some of the more difficult elements.
I don't see much comparison to a summer club event and an ISU Intl senior event.

I haven't seen Caroline's skates from Nebelhorn and don't feel any need to - just hope she does better next time.

I feel that watching Caroline programs at nebelhorn could help us to understand why did she skate so badly, I would especially like to see her 3Lo and 3F, they are usually strong jumps for her: did she miss them completely or just made mistakes in the landings? And I would like to watch her spins, too, why did they receive so low scores?

I feel that watching Caroline programs at nebelhorn could help us to understand why did she skate so badly, I would especially like to see her 3Lo and 3F, they are usually strong jumps for her: did she miss them completely or just made mistakes in the landings? And I would like to watch her spins, too, why did they receive so low scores?

Of course you are right.........but sometimes there are things I would rather not understand....or see.

I never watched Alissa's Worlds LP from last season....and don't have any plans to.

I feel that watching Caroline programs at nebelhorn could help us to understand why did she skate so badly, I would especially like to see her 3Lo and 3F, they are usually strong jumps for her: did she miss them completely or just made mistakes in the landings? And I would like to watch her spins, too, why did they receive so low scores?

Well, I don't want to sound the alarm or anything, but this is a rather grave situation for her career. Jump technique is one thing, and she has been working on it. However, if she is having stamina/physical fitness issues that are dragging down her skating to the extent that she can't stroke, jump, and spin the way she needs to, that's a factor that's not easy to adjust for. While many of us have been supportive of her skating, I think we would also be understanding had she decided to quit.

I am not saying she should or she will. I am just pointing out that stamina/physical fitness issues that prevent a skater from skating well are serious enough that they may decide they can't go on and would rather leave the sport. Of course, we don't really know the whole story, but it's quite clear that the lutzes, flips, and loops that Caroline was able to land at Nationals and 4CC are missing in action for her now. And she must be as frustrated as anyone about it. And yeah, a major part of her skating story is not just a struggle with poor technique, but also a struggle with adjusting and managing her developing/changing body so that she can skate well. Of course, she is not the only one. I think the Russian girls, Sotnikova and now Tuktamysheva, have had to deal with growth spurts as well, although the effect on their skating was minor compared to Caroline's. But still there. Mirai must have dealt with it too at some point.